Reading

In Rough Stone Rolling, the author says this of Joseph's early years, "Magic had served its pupose in his life.  In a sense, it was a preparatory gospel.  Treasure-seeking lore may have made it easier for his father to believe his son's fabulous story about an angel and gold plates.  Joseph Sr. might have dismissed the report had not tales of spirits guarding treasure prepared his mind."

I find this so interesting!  God knows each of us so well and haven't we all had that experience where one thought is actually a bridge to another thought that we come to later?

I also think it is interesting that the people who still believed in some folklore and magic were the simple people.  These were many of Joseph's converts.  Those of the time who had already moved toward "rational Christianity" could not accept stories of angels and gold plates.  God had to use this time in the unfolding of America when there was still a group of people whose minds were open to such things.

I think it is another example of how God can turn bad things into good.  Magic and its power does not come from God and can lead people down dangerous paths.  But God has the patience and love to say, "Yes, it is kind of like that, but come, look at it this way.  You've almost got it!"  Then he nudges us in the right direction and waits until we put it together and come closer to the true truth.  Which is a continuous journey, don't you think?  Coming to the true truth is a path that we may not even come to the full completion of until after this life.